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Dear Parents and Caregivers

Googa – what a rich and life-changing 4-week growth experience we offer at Concordia! I believe that we are the only school in Toowoomba to offer this extended outdoor education experience to learners. I had the wonderful opportunity and experience, with Pastor Thomas, to visit our Year 9 students and do an overnight stay at Googa on Monday and Tuesday. This is their final week at Googa. 

On Monday night we had the wonderful privilege of being part of the boys' celebration and affirmation dinner and to sample the tasty dinner prepared by a group of them. What a rich experience as these young men, who were seated around a fire pit, had the opportunity to be affirmed by words written from home and then to reflect on what is their responsibility as men, husbands, fathers, friends and partners in the years to come. 

On Tuesday morning the Year 9 girls returned from their 24 hours solo camping experience, and all were in high spirits as they began to prepare for their celebration and affirmation dinner. Thank you, parents, caregivers and family friends, for staying connected with the students during their time away. I hope that you enjoy the Family Day with your student tomorrow as you reunite again as a family. Thank you to Mr Dave Rentell, as the Year Level and Pastoral Care Coordinator for Year 9, for all the work done behind scenes to support the realisation of this camp as well as the regular visit to Googa during the past four weeks. 

�鶹��ý is committed to excellence in education, so that our students can have a solid foundation for their lives beyond school as they explore their various opportunities for further education and career development.

However, we seek to provide more than just academic excellence. Indeed, we talk about helping each student to fulfill their potential, to discover and develop their God-given gifts and to find ways to use these gifts in service of others as they discern their place in God’s world.

We understand that God has so ordered things that everyone has a place and purpose. Martin Luther’s insights into the concept of vocation guide us here. He noted that the milkmaid has just as important a role as a prince – each are required for the smooth and peaceful functioning of society and each bless others as they fulfil their role in the best possible way.

We ended up sending nearly 139 children to school, with a total of $3610 send to ALWS/Walk my Way, an amazing effort – and I thank you for your support.

In the House competition around this, Altus came first, raising a total of $1441 raised, closely followed by Kessler with $1314 and finally Steadman with $480. (For the mathematicians among you - the difference to the total is accounted for by some donations that were not House allocated and the money raised through the BBQ at SSC).

I have included an article from a recent Lutheran magazine below, that helps us understand how we are part of a much bigger movement and picture here. Together we are making a difference.

God bless!

Pastor Thomas Böhmert
College Pastor

As the Musical gets into full swing, our creative students are busy singing, rehearsing, and making props. We are currently looking for several vintage or older items. We would love to borrow a surfboard for a week in May 2023. 

We are asking if anyone in our community has the following to donate: 10 VCR tapes, Vintage Television (working), 2 X 44-gallon drums, 2 X timber palettes, a bicycle wheel or a car tyre. If you have any of the following, please email Holly Kiehne, SSC Teacher: holly.kiehne@concordia.qld.edu.au

The incoming SSC 2023 Ministry Captains, Kahlia, Claire and Louisa have come up with this Term 4 initiative for our whole College community. Students from all campuses are encouraged to enter an artwork with prizes up for grabs!

Please for a copy of the order form.

We warmly invite parents to attend this special concert in the Concordia Chapel. This concert is a public performance which will display the hard work that the Year 5 cohorts have put into learning their new skill - playing an instrument. There will be some fun pieces you are familiar with, mixed with some music specifically written to focus on instrument techniques. The concert will demonstrate the students’ ability to work as an ensemble, follow direction from a conductor and perform publicly on their instrument.

One of the highlights on the Warwick Street Campus calendar each year is the Parent Connect Trivia Night. Tables for the Trivia Night have now sold out!

To ensure we continue to provide a wonderful event, we need some assistance from our community. If you are able to assist with being a sponsor, donating prizes or even putting a table of guests together to support the event, we would be very grateful for your assistance. I understand that everyone is busy, but if you could give some of your time, even in a small way, it would be appreciated.

If you would like more information about the Trivia Night and what you can do to support the event, please contact me or email Mrs Angharad Lubbock, angharad.lubbock@gmail.com for further details.

The WSC staff are already studying up for the occasion and we look forward to seeing you there!

Mrs Jackie Minnikin
Director of Campus

There are only a few people in our lives who impact our world, and teachers are definitely one of them. We can all think of a teacher who saw the potential in us, challenged us and believed that we were capable of great things. Teachers play an important part in shaping the future. 

Today we say thank you to the teachers at Concordia as we celebrate World Teachers Day and say, “Hats off to our teachers”. Our teachers are dedicated, passionate and always go the extra mile for the students in their care. We are blessed to have each one of them in our community and today, on your behalf, we would like to acknowledge and thank them for the outstanding work that they do. 

It was with immense pride today that we watched our Year 1 students take the lead in our annual Christmas for the Bush Chapel service. They impressed on us today, to Imagine the Possibility of letting our lights shine together rather than individually. As the multitude of boxes were placed at the altar, it was evident that together our community’s generosity was again, astounding. Thank you to everyone for contributing to this special cause and thank you to our Year 1 staff and students for promoting and organising this very special project and organising the Chapel service today. 

On Thursday 17 November, the WSC Parent Connect are providing a meal deal for students at the Swimming Carnival and those students at their campus. Meal Deals will be delivered to the pool at 10.30am, HSC at 10.45am and to WSC at 12.45pm.

Orders are through My Student Account and close on Monday 14 November 2022 at 3pm.

Please note: This meal deal will replace Tuckshop in Week 7 for both WSC and HSC

Meal Deal details are below.
Cost: $8.00 with Gluten Free Options available

Option 1 - Wrap, Fruit Salad and Drink Choose from Chicken, Ham or Vegetarian Fruit Salad Drink - choose from Water or Chocolate/Strawberry Milk or Apple/Golden Pash/Orange Popper

Option 2 - Sushi, Fruit Salad and Drink Choose from Chicken Teriyaki or Tuna and Mayo Fruit Salad Drink - choose from Water or Chocolate/Strawberry Milk or Apple/Golden Pash/Orange Popper

As the weeks go by, we are noticing that the items in our Lost Property are increasing significantly. If you have lost any items of clothing, hats, water bottles or lunch boxes, please take the time to have a look through the Lost Property on your campus. 

Please  to view HSC's Events for Term 4, Week 5.

We will be having food and drink vans in the Junior Playground prior to the Musical on Thursday 24 November between 5pm and 5.45pm. The Musical will then start at 6pm.

Our 2023 booklists are available for online ordering. Place your order online through Browns Office Choice. The Book Lists' link is also available in .

Orders that were placed and paid for before Wednesday 16 November will be ready for collection from HSC Resource Centre on Thursday 24 November between 8.00am and 9.30am.

Brown’s Office Choice -

Please note, the headphones have been taken off the 2023 booklists due to quality of previously sourced headphones.

• Each student will need a set of headphones for school.
• Please check the strength of the connection where it plugs into the device.
• Our little Prep students sometimes get confused if there is a volume button on the headphones so please avoid this if possible. 

At HSC, Tuckshop is held on a Thursday. All orders are to be completed online at  by 3pm each Wednesday. Please notify Reception by 9am on Thursday if your child is absent and we will cancel their order. Tuckshop will finish in Week 9.

On Friday 7 October, students from Prep to Year 6 will commence their swimming lessons at the Concordia Aquatic Centre. Each of these classes will participate in eight lessons over Term 4. Please for the schedule.

Please ensure that students have the following:

• Dressing gown - this is great for the students to wear to and from the pool as we don't know what the weather is going to be like;
• Thongs
• Swimming togs - it would be great for our Prep students to wear their togs to school
• Goggles
• House swimming cap
• Towel

To avoid any lost items, please clearly label all of your child's items including their shoes, underwear and uniform.

Our students being led by Mrs Sue Priest have begun rehearsals for our end of year HSC Musical. We will have more information in next week’s The Week Ahead regarding costuming, however, it is very simple this year. We would love to have some parent helpers come and do some prop building/painting. If you are able to do this Tuesday 1 November 1.30pm-3pm, please click this link and register.

We were very privileged on Wednesday 26 October to attend the Mayoral Achievement Award where Benji Chettle received his medal. We will share this achievement with our whole campus on Monday at Assembly, 10.15am.

"Benji was in Year 1 when he was first diagnosed with Perthes Disease. He went from being a typical, active 6 year old who loved to play football, climb and ride his bike to being in constant pain. His diagnosis led to two major surgeries, 6 weeks in a wheelchair and 2 years of rehabilitation. Benji is still restricted with his movements and cannot run, jump, skip or climb. This has not been the easiest of times for him however Benji's persistence and determination has been remarkable. Benji proved this by recently representing Concordia at the Multi Class track and field competition and participating in every event that he is able. Benji can be proud of his resilience and strength of character to live life to the full despite adversity."

We also have another student who has experienced life with Perthes Disease. On Wednesday 2 November, we are going to 'walk a lunchtime in Benji and Max's shoes' and not be able to run, skip, jump etc. We will play soccer and other games but without running. It is always a valuable experience to try to see life from another's point of view.

Please to view WSC's Events for Term 4, Week 4.

Our 2023 booklists are available for online ordering. Place your order online through Browns Office Choice. The Book Lists' link is also available in .

Orders that were placed and paid for before Monday 14 November will be ready for collection from WSC Shed on Wednesday 23 November between 8.00am and 9.30am.

Brown’s Office Choice -

Please note, the headphones have been taken off the 2023 booklists due to quality of previously sourced headphones.

• Each student will need a set of headphones for school.
• Please check the strength of the connection where it plugs into the device.
• Our little Prep students sometimes get confused if there is a volume button on the headphones so please avoid this if possible. 

At WSC, Tuckshop is held on a Wednesday. All orders are to be completed online at  by 3pm each Tuesday. Please notify Reception by 9am on Wednesday if your child is absent and we will cancel their order. Tuckshop will finish in Week 7.

Our Prep to Year 6 students have commence their swimming lessons at the Concordia Aquatic Centre. Each of these classes will participate in lessons over Term 4. 

As expected, Term 4 is screaming along, with today being the term hump day for our students. Our Year 9 students will have their final full day at Googa today, full of excitement I am sure for the family celebration and pick-up day tomorrow. 

We are so very proud of this group and what they have achieved on this experience. To have feedback from the camp that this has been the “best group ever” is a testimony to the character of the students. In my visit to Googa in the second week, one of the young instructors commented, “When I eventually have kids I will want to send them to a school that offers an experience like Googa.” Hear, hear! 

Thank you to all staff who have visited our Year 9 students during the four weeks, and to our families for entrusting us to continue to invest in this opportunity, and for everything you have done to raise such upstanding young people. 

Start your week off on the right foot with a coffee or hot chocolate from The Edge Café, freshly prepared by our Year 10 Hospitality students.

The Café is open 8am – 9.15am every Monday this term. All beverages are one size and a bargain $3 each (Soy + 50c). Payment via MSA or EFTPOS, no cash.

Students, parents and staff are invited to pop in and have a coffee take away or stay and chat while Kochie catches you up with the latest news on Sunrise.

We look forward to seeing you there!

I am proud to announce that the 2021 student art and writing anthology has arrived! 

This stunning book contains examples of outstanding writing and art from students across all year levels. There are some amazing ballads and short stories, thought-provoking essays on popular culture and history and thoughtful investigations into the creative process.  

At the moment it is available to borrow from the SSC library, or as a digital download from the SSC library catalogue. Please let me know if you would be interested in purchasing a copy or would like to find out more.

Mrs Heidi Edwards 
Teacher Librarian 

We’re excited to announce that Elevate Education's next free webinar will be taking place on Wednesday 9 November.

Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series you will learn how you can help better support your children at home through reinforcing the skills they learn at school:     

Wednesday 9 November, 6.30pm

How to Help Your Child Manage Their Stress and Wellbeing

In this webinar Elevate will be showing parents:

✅ How to spot your child's stress symptoms early

✅ How to start a conversation about emotional wellbeing

✅ Techniques your child can use to self-manage stress

On Tuesday 25 October, Year 10 students Januki Ranchagoda, Sarah Peake and Samuel Lawrence brought a little magic to the residents and staff of Salem Aged Care facility by providing music for a farewell function to one of their long-standing staff members. The students did an amazing job and the residents and staff alike were full of positive comments about their musicianship and commitment. 

It is wonderful that, in these times, we can return to providing uplifting moments through music to our community. We thank Samuel, Januki and Sarah for their dedication and outstanding playing and singing, and Mrs Samantha Eagleson for providing the opportunity for them. Thanks also to Mr Neil Roche-Kelly for providing the accompaniment to their performances. 

Volleyball

On Tuesday, the intermediate girls lost their semi-final Vs Highlands Girls, 2 sets to 0 in an extremely close game 53–56. The girls played really well and we were a bit unlucky with a few calls due to the referee being pretty inexperienced so that match could’ve gone either way.

The Wednesday mixed team won their bronze medal match tonight Vs Set and Forget 85-70. On the night Keenan, Damon, Paige, Bailey, Abigail and myself really stepped up and played well as team to bring it home! Lauren couldn’t play tonight because of an awards evening and our other regular Yuan is still at Googa but their contributions throughout the season shouldn’t be forgotten either.

Next Tuesday, the Intermediate girls play SSC (St Saviour's College) at 4.35 pm for bronze on court 3. 

The sun is shining and the temperature is lifting. Today is the final Year 12 exam day for our Boarders. Chrissy will depart boarding this afternoon and will begin another journey into the workforce soon.

Sports have finished up for the season with great efforts with Daisy Combo–Gadd being awarded “Female player with Most Potential” and Kashar Bounghi with “Most Valued Player". Well done to both girls.   

Boys Open Volleyball came away with a win this week. Well done chaps!